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Nuclear Operations Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Summary This position is for a Nuclear Station Leader who is responsible for the Operations department and all operational aspects at the facility. This includes conduct of all licensed and non ...

Job Summary This position is for a Nuclear Station Leader who is responsible for the Operations department and all operational aspects at the facility. This includes conduct of all licensed and non ...

Job Summary This position is for a Nuclear Station Leader who is responsible for the Operations department and all operational aspects at the facility. This includes conduct of all licensed and non ...

Job Summary This position is for a Nuclear Station Leader who is responsible for the Operations department and all operational aspects at the facility. This includes conduct of all licensed and non ...

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Nuclear Operations information

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$19

$51

$77

How much do nuclear operations jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for nuclear operations in the United States is $51.91, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $39.18 and $62.50 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is nuclear operations?

Nuclear operations refer to the activities involved in operating and maintaining nuclear power plants or facilities that use nuclear technology. This includes monitoring reactor systems, ensuring safety protocols are followed, conducting routine inspections, and responding to emergencies. Nuclear operations professionals play a critical role in producing electricity safely and efficiently while minimizing risks to people and the environment. They require specialized training and must adhere to strict regulatory standards.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in nuclear operations, and how can they be managed?

Professionals in Nuclear Operations often encounter challenges such as adhering to strict regulatory requirements, maintaining safety protocols, and managing unexpected equipment issues. These challenges can be managed through continuous training, clear communication with team members, and a strong safety culture. Collaboration with engineers, technicians, and regulatory bodies is essential to ensure smooth operations and rapid problem-solving. Staying up-to-date with the latest industry regulations and best practices also helps mitigate risks and ensures operational excellence.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in nuclear operations, and why are they important?

To thrive in Nuclear Operations, you need a strong understanding of physics, engineering principles, and safety regulations, often supported by a relevant degree and specialized training. Familiarity with nuclear plant systems, control room simulators, and certifications such as NRC Reactor Operator Licensing are typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are crucial soft skills in this role. These competencies ensure safe, efficient plant operations and adherence to strict regulatory standards, minimizing risks to personnel and the environment.

What is the difference between Nuclear Operations vs Nuclear Engineering?

AspectNuclear OperationsNuclear Engineering
Required CredentialsSecurity clearance, military or technical trainingEngineering degree, professional engineering license
Work EnvironmentPower plants, military facilities, maintenance sitesDesign labs, research facilities, power plant design
Employer & Industry UsageMilitary, energy sector, government agenciesEnergy companies, research institutions, consulting firms

Nuclear Operations focuses on the safe operation, maintenance, and security of nuclear systems, often requiring security clearances and hands-on technical skills. Nuclear Engineering involves designing, analyzing, and improving nuclear systems, requiring advanced engineering education. While both roles are vital in the nuclear industry, they differ in focus, credentials, and work environment.

How much do nuclear operations make?

Nuclear operations professionals typically earn between $70,000 and $120,000 annually, depending on experience, education, and location. Advanced roles requiring security clearances or specialized skills can offer higher salaries, often exceeding $130,000. Compensation may also include benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and overtime pay.
More about Nuclear Operations jobs

What cities are hiring for Nuclear Operations jobs?

Cities with the most Nuclear Operations job openings:

What states have the most Nuclear Operations jobs?

States with the most job openings for Nuclear Operations jobs include:

Infographic showing various Nuclear Operations job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,964 per year, or $51.9 per hour.

Nuclear Operations Lead/Manager

Idaho Falls, ID • On-site

Other

Posted 10 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Oversee the safe and efficient operation of reactor experiments and plant facilities.

  • Responsible for nuclear training programs for operators and maintenance personnel.

  • Identify staffing needs and develop procedures, personnel, and programs for successful operation.


Job description

About Us

At Antares, our long-term mission is to make clean energy abundant from Earth to the Asteroid Belt. We’re fueled by the belief that advanced nuclear energy can strengthen our military, solve the climate crisis, elevate global living standards, and expand humanity's presence in outer space. To achieve our mission, we’re building mass-producible, inherently safe, deployable microreactors that can be used terrestrially, underwater, and in space.

The Antares team hails from SpaceX, the White House, the Pentagon, the Department of Energy, MIT, Rigetti Computing, General Atomics, Relativity Space, Ursa Major, and National Laboratories like Idaho, Oak Ridge, Los Alamos, and Savannah River. Antares has raised over $600M in venture capital from top-tier investors and has hundreds of million-dollars on contract with the military services, NASA, and the Department of Energy.

About The Role

We are seeking a Nuclear Operations Lead to ensure Antares’ nuclear programs and systems are translated into executable, deployable approaches. This role sits at tip of nuclear operations, and is responsible for ensuring that reactors can be successfully deployed, started, and operated as complete systems in a manner tightly coupled to the design basis, safety basis and plant programs. This role will serve as the leader of the Nuclear Operations organization with responsibility for identifying and developing reactor operating personnel as well as the development and deployment of the operational programs necessary for ensuring that operational requirements are aligned and achievable in real-world environments.
This position is ideal for someone who is comfortable operating across boundaries both technical, organizational, as well as coordinating with external stakeholders, and who can drive clarity and execution in complex, ambiguous environments with a high degree or precision and rigor.

Roles and Responsibilities:
  • Oversee the safe and efficient operation of reactor experiments and plant facilities in order to maximize plant availability and customer expectations.
  • Responsible for nuclear training programs for operators and maintenance personnel.
  • Responsible for identification of required staffing and development of procedures, personnel and programs necessary for successful operation.
  • Set and maintain high standards for performance and operational excellence.
  • Ensure the effective operation of nuclear activities for Antares test and deployed reactors.
  • Participate in and drive technical discussions, reviews, and working groups with internal and external stakeholders
  • Provide feedback to engineering and program teams to improve the scalability and repeatability of reactor deployments
Basic Qualifications
  • 4+ years of experience in nuclear, aerospace, defense, or other highly regulated technical environments
  • Experience working across multiple disciplines to deliver complex systems or projects
  • Demonstrated ability to connect technical, regulatory, and operational requirements into executable plans
  • Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in ambiguous, fast-paced environments
  • Demonstrated technical communication skills, with the ability to engage both internal teams and external stakeholders
Preferred Skills & Experience:
  • BS, MS, or PHD engineering (nuclear, mechanical, chemical, aerospace, or related field)
  • Experience supporting reactor operations, startup, commissioning, or deployment
  • Familiarity with nuclear safety and compliance programs
  • Experience working with customers, regulators, or external partners in technical settings
  • Prior experience in the U.S. Navy nuclear program, national laboratories, or commercial nuclear industry
Culture

At Antares, we like to specifically tie each role to our founding document’s set of values–here are the top five cultural values we think you should believe at your core to be successful:

  • Think in Systems - Energy and Defense are complex ecosystems with numerous stakeholders with competing priorities, conflicting policies, perverse incentives, and emergent and path-dependent properties. First principles thinking alone is insufficient. Think probabilistically and then take action. “If you want to be certain, then you are apt to be obsolete.” Over-optimizing the components often degrades the system
  • Obsess over the End User - The customer and end user are often not the same. We will never build globally competitive commercial products if we lose sight of our end users and their entire interaction with the product life cycle
  • Be Unconstrained by Convention - Our only limits are the laws of physics. Many, even experts, will say what we are working on is impossible. They said the same about SpaceX reusing rockets. Generationally impactful companies, by definition, must accomplish the seemingly impossible. If it were easy, it would have already been done. Never shy away from a solution because it has never been tried before, and never choose to do something because that's “how it's always been done”
  • Go Where the Work Is - Never miss a chance to meet a customer, user, or stakeholder face to face, even if that means hopping on a plane. If you can’t make it, find a teammate who can channel your intentions and go in your place. Deep work can be done from anywhere, but we believe teams are built in person, and aim to maximize our time together
  • Operate in the Grey - Embrace nuance in pursuit of truth. Question every fundamental assumption
Equal Opportunity

Antares is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are based solely on merit, competence, and qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

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